More about: Manic Street Preachers

Manic Street Preachers have defended the decision to book Metallica as Glastonbury headliners, as the band face controversy around their hunting habits and not being 'Glasto friendly'. 

The heavy metal icons have so far proven a somewhat controversial choice to top the bill on the Pyramid Stage this year, due to their hard rock sound not really seeming like the typical booking for Glasto. Then, the controversy was only heightened when a petition was launched by Glastonbury-goers, aiming to ban Metallica from performing at the festival, due to frontman James Hetfield's support of bear hunting. - with many arguing that it is not in-keeping with the green and peace-loving ethos of the festival.

In an interview with Gigwise, Glasto veterans and past headliners Manic Street Preachers said that in spite of the furore, they were looking forward to seeing the 'Enter Sandman' giants. 

"No, I've got no opinion about that issue that's arisen," said frontman James Dean Bradfield. "I don't buy into it and I'm kind of looking forward to seeing them. I must say I'm a very natural person to be very anti-hunting of any degree whatsoever, but that's not going to make me not want to see Metallica at Glastonbury."

He continued: "I think that one picture that they paraded around is not actually James Hetfield either."

Bassist and lyricist Nicky Wire added: "Lars Ulrich is so desparate to play anyway that they're going to make it a full-on rock set." 

Watch the video for 'Walk Me To The Bridge' by Manic Street Preachers below

The band, who are gearing up to release their incredible new album Futurology, will be appearing on The Other Stage at this year's event - 20 years since they first played there with missing guitarist Richey Edwards. Speaking to Gigwise, the band responded to comments they made last year about wanting to play their seminal 1994 album The Holy Bible in its entirety at Glasto. 

"That was slightly tongue in cheek," laughed Nicky Wire. "I think Jack White is on at the same time as us at Glastonbury so we're not expecting the biggest crowd. We'd probably clear the whole field.

"We couldn't do that anyway, because can you imagine if we did all of The Holy Bible at Glastonbury and then all of our hardcore fans didn't get to see it? They'd hate us forever. We'll chuck a couple in, that's for sure."

James Dean Bradfield continued: "I'm not sure that 'The Intense Humming Of Evil' is going to work in a big field."

Manic Street Preachers will be performing on The Other Stage at Glastonbury at 7.30pm on Saturday 28 June. Futurology will be released on 7 July, 2014.

- Check back soon for more of our full interview with the Manics, and read our track by track of their new album Futurology here

 Below: Photos of Manic Street Preachers live in Manchester

More about: Manic Street Preachers